Spring season on Penobscot unlikely

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With deer season looming and the Red Sox in the World Series, things have been a bit hectic recently. Forgive, if you will, a soon-to-be sleep-deprived writer a short diatribe as we all eagerly await the next Jonathan Papelbon river-dancing exhibition.

This morning, let’s talk about salmon. In particular, Atlantic salmon. Yes, the Atlantic Salmon Commission board voted to move forward with a rule that would allow a month of spring fishing on the Penobscot River in 2008.

Yes, that could be viewed as good news.

Some advice from this stump: Don’t get too excited quite yet.

In fact, I’m willing to make a bold prediction that will make many folks quite angry: We won’t be fishing for salmon in the Penobscot next spring.

I’m not typically a naysayer, but after sitting through the board meeting last week, I heard several things that got my attention.

First, biologist Norm Dube of the Department of Marine Resources’ Bureau of Sea-Run Fisheries & Habitat (formerly the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission) readily admitted that senior scientific staffers are split in their opinions on whether a spring season should be held.

Dube said he and a former biologist were generally in favor of the idea but said senior biologist Joan Trial (who was at the meeting) was generally against the idea and another biologist was undecided.

That lack of scientific unanimity isn’t surprising, considering the complicated issue at hand. It will also help further muddy the already murky waters when the issue is put to a vote.

Second, a quick glance around the room proved one thing: Federal entities and nongovernment watershed stewardship groups are very interested in what the ASC board does; several key players in the debate were represented.

When the time comes, they’ll surely have their say on the matter. In fact, they may have their say even sooner than most people think.

It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that the feds will shut down the Penobscot to salmon fishing before the ASC board even gets to vote on the matter.

Third, the words of the commissioners of the ASC board were a bit ominous. Roland “Danny” Martin, the DIF&W commissioner, made it perfectly clear that by voting to move forward toward a public hearing, he was not endorsing the spring season itself.

That, he said, would be a matter to consider after all the public testimony is heard.

A second commissioner, George LaPointe of the Department of Marine Resources, seemed to share Martin’s sentiment.

In reality, those are the kinds of positions you want the ASC commissioners to take. Wait. See. Think. Then, act.

But those anglers looking for an enthusiastic preliminary endorsement of a potential spring season didn’t receive one.

Not even close.

More hunters breakfasts …

On Saturday, the BDN ran a list of more than a dozen hunters breakfasts that will take place in the coming weeks. As expected, the publication of that list apparently spurred more civic organizations into action, and a few more breakfast notices arrived this week.

Since I’m an eager eater myself, and I’d never want to be accused of leaving hunters hungry, here are a few more options available:

. In Appleton, at Appleton Village School, a breakfast and lunch from 4 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Oct. 27. Adults pay $6 and children 9 and under pay $3. All proceeds to benefit the eighth grade class trip.

. In Stockton Springs, at the Sandy Point Community Center, a breakfast sponsored by the Jerry Dobbins American Legion Post 157 on Oct. 27. Adults pay $5, children $3.

. In Dixmont, at the Gold Crest Riders Snowmobile Clubhouse on the Cates Road, Nov. 3 from 4:30-8:30 a.m., adults $6, children under 12 $3.

And while this one isn’t a breakfast, it’s certainly worth taking a second look at:

. In Dover-Foxcroft, at SeDoMoCha Middle School, the fifth annual Arthur L. Hitchcock Wild Game Dinner is scheduled for Nov. 11 from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The dinner, which is sponsored by the Piscataquis Regional YMCA, features wild game donated by hunters, guides, taxidermists and the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

The dinner has grown each year and organizers expect to feed 400 people this year. The menu will include traditional staples like bear, moose, deer and wild and domestic turkey, as well as some originals like groundhog stew, raccoon stew and beaver stew.

Adult admission is $9, children from 6-12 pay $4 and children under 6 get in free.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.